THE Office of the President (OP), through Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, has expressed full support to Romblon’s bid for sustainable environmental tourism anchored on legislation.
Secretary Go, on behalf of President Rodrigo Duterte, was joined by Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, OP representatives and actor Philip Salvador at the Philippine Councilors League-Romblon (PCL-Romblon) chapter’s 2nd Provincial Assembly in Mandaluyong City.
Go cited the need to ensure tourist destinations’ safety by fighting back against the threat of criminality and illegal drugs, aside from legislating tourism guidelines.
“Tourist destinations such as Romblon would be a lot safer if we fight illegal drugs,” Go said in his speech.
Romblon is a cluster of virgin islands home to endemic flora and fauna.
In Sibuyan, its second largest island, Mt. Guiting-Guiting stands tall, where at least 700 vascular plant species, including 54 species that can only be found in the province, are present. Sibuyan Island has yet to catch the attention of foreign and local tourists, while the slopes of Mt. Guiting-Guiting have attracted daredevil mountaineers for years.
The province is known as the “Marble Capital of the Philippines,” and has been tagged by the Department of Tourism as one of the country’s emerging tourist destinations. Among Romblon’s hidden gems are its pristine seawaters, unspoiled beaches, wild rivers and waterfalls.
Despite potentials as another eco-tourism hub in the region, tourism efforts in the province still need a boost.
“Romblon does not have an environmental code yet, we don’t have any legislative measure on tourism. That’s why, with the influx of tourists now and the closure of Boracay, the second priority now is Romblon,” Dinah Fradejas, secretary general of PCL-Romblon, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Go stressed that the administration would implement programs to boost infrastructure and tourism.
“Tourism is important to President Duterte that is why he is seeking for understanding from the public in the rehabilitation of Boracay,” he said in an interview
The event was attended by former Ilocos Sur governor and PCL national president Luis “Chavit” Singson and councilors from Romblon.
Like in other gatherings, Go was again teased to run senator, but said he would leave things up to fate.
“The election is still a long time from now,” he said, referring to the 2019 senatorial elections. “I ask for your understanding, it will eventually come, if it’s God’s will.”